HEALTHY PEOPLE

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a complex phenomenon with multiple factors contributing to the issue. There is little doubt that over time any use of an antibiotic in people and in animals can result in increased bacterial resistance. That is why initiatives to combat resistance must include responsible use of antibiotic products in people and in animals.

Zoetis is committed to protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics for the long term. This is critical for both human and animal health.

RESPONSIBLE USE INVOLVES US ALL

The World Health Organization in its April 2014 report on antimicrobial resistance surveillance, estimated that more than half of all antibiotic medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, and that half of all patients fail to take them correctly.1 According to the U.S, Centers for Disease Control, up to 50 percent of all the antibiotics prescribed in human healthcare in the United States are not needed or are not optimally prescribed.2 Responsible use in human health must be part of an action plan to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics.3 According the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Report on Combating Antibiotic Resistance, use of medically important antibiotics in animals can promote the development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria in animals, and these resistant strains do, at least in some cases, spread to humans. However, the extent to which antibiotic resistance in animal agriculture contributes to human infections is not known.3

Expert and government reports explain the complexity of antibiotic resistance and propose strategies for dealing with this critical challenge:

PROTOCOLS TO HELP ENSURE RESPONSIBLE USE

Zoetis supports protocols established by the various organisations for responsible use of antibiotics on the farm to help ensure healthy animals and minimize the development of antibiotic resistance. For in depth information about these protocols, visit: